As the Albemarle Supervisors supply us with statistics that call for an ever increasing demand for more housing in the county, they look to the designated Development Areas such as ours, (Village of Rivanna - VOR), to add more density. VORCAG (Village of Rivanna Citizens Action Group) thought we had better face the elephant in the room and get the skinny on the fate of Rt. 250.
As we continue to be told by the Supervisors - it is up to VDOT, go ask them . . . now, we have asked them, and this is what we learned.
What Happened?
VDOT asked the nature of our questions and based on that, assembled 6 members from various departments to hear us out and pass that information on to you.
They spent 90 minutes answering our questions.
Thank you to all of you who submitted questions. We hope you find your answers below.
Can We Talk About Traffic Studies?
We hear about traffic studies and statistics, but who initiates these studies? When, and why are they executed? What use are they?
Who? - Various entities can initiate studies such as county, region, state, Planning Districts (Thomas Jefferson Planning District - TJPD), Metropolitan Planning Organizations (Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization - CA-MPO), VDOT, to name a few. CA-MPO develops and Maintains a Long Range Plan for our Region.
When and Why? - Prior to design phase of projects, land use and zoning changes, traffic operation analysis, local transportation issues, areas of frequent accidents, to name a few.
What are they used for? - New development, increased traffic, roadway construction projects, planning safety solutions, to name a few.
How Will Studies Fix Rt. 250?
The short answer . . . they won’t!
The Commonwealth of Virginia operates on a Smart Scale Process for approval and funding of road projects. Smart Scale “Transportation projects are scored based on an objective outcome-based, process that is transparent to the public and allows decision-makers to be held accountable to the tax payers.”
Designated entities such as Metropolitan Planning Commissions (MPO) and Planning District Commissions, Local Governments (Cities and Counties) across Virginia are afforded the opportunity to submit a designated number of projects for consideration.
These submissions are scored based on factors of significant need such as safety, congestion, population and numbers of vehicles impacted, accessibility, economic development, pressure on the corridor, to name a few. MPO’s will consider if there is a significant enough need to warrant submission.
If the need is confirmed, the project is submitted and scored to compete for funding. They are ranked and funded based on rank.
Rt. 250 in the Village of Rivanna in Albemarle County does not rank high when competing with cities surrounding D.C.
Have Any Projects Been Submitted Affecting Congestion In Our Area?
The Diverging Diamond is a Smart Scale Project
A Displaced Left Turn (DLT) at Rt. 250 and Rt 22 (Louisa Rd) was submitted DLT This project was not accepted due to low ranking. It can be submitted again. Note: This project would add a coordinated traffic light at the end of the merge from Rt 22 to westbound Rt 250 and no longer be a merge.
A Traffic Circle at Rt. 250 and Milton Road. This project was not accepted due to low ranking. It can also be re-submitted again.
If resubmitted, it would take 8 years to resubmit, gain approval and funding, then be completed.
What Is The Timeline For VDOT Projects?
VDOT is currently working on 2030 projects.
Breakdown -
1. Application Process - 2 years
2. Accepted applications have 6 years to get funding. Only when funded, can a project move forward.
3. Select projects are fully funded in the Six Year Improvement Plan (SYIP), but a project may take longer than six years to complete since the funding for new project is in year 5 and 6 of the SYIP. Currently recommended projects have an estimated completion date of 2030.
But What About Rt. 250?
Expect traffic on Rt. 250 to increase with time. We are not likely to be accepted in the Smart Scale Process.
VDOT advises improvements you may see will be at intersections and more in the nature of corridor preservation, maintaining safety and spot congestion issues.
VDOT told us expanding or widening Rt. 250 has been continuously studied and thus far, no feasible solution has been discovered mainly due to physical limitations (steep banks), right-of-way (private property) and cost.
Frankly, our problems in VOR don’t compare to large localities with greater traffic numbers.
Please Tell Us What’s Up With The Diverging Diamond!
Good News - The project should be completed in April. Night time temperatures need to be maintained at 50F degrees for a week prior to final asphalt and striping.
Some More DDI Info
The lines you now see on the road are temporary.
There will be an additional turn lane added from 250 eastbound to I-64 westbound.
The lanes leading up to the DDI are 12 feet wide. The lanes through the DDI will be 15 feet wide which will better enable drivers to execute the sharper curves.
Traffic lights will be coordinated and tweaked after the project is completed.
If a traffic light is knocked off, for example by an emergency vehicle, it will reset in the next cycle. Cycle time = 1 - 1 1/2 minutes
Vehicle detection is already employed along Rt. 250. Lights are adjusted at times of low traffic and need an approaching vehicle on a side street to cause a light to change.
Why Aren’t The Lines And Arrows Kept Up To Date As The DDI Project Progresses?
The contract did not include ongoing striping as the project progressed. Any time the contractor has done any re-striping, it has been at their expense.
(Don’t you wonder who is at fault if serious damage occurs due to incorrect or lack of visible striping?)
A Note About Turning Congestion at Black Cat Road and Rt 250
A turn lane has been considered at this location, but there are too many obstacles such as the traffic light poles in the way, topography challenges, and right-of-way to personal property.
VDOT feels this is a good potential for a Traffic Circle as a solution, but it has to go through the Smart Scale Process.
Summary
Don’t look for Rt 250 to be widened in the VOR area.
Don’t expect the County Supervisors are able to guess when already approved development will be completed.
And, don’t expect Supervisors on their own, to stop approving more density no matter how much congestion it will create. They need to hear from us. Supervising is not a full time job. There is only so much they can be expected to know, and some are carried away with the latest trends sweeping across the country thinking it applies to everywhere.
Afterward -
Our meeting with VDOT took place on February 10, 2023. I noticed new, bright white striping on the DDI as I drove through it yesterday. Thank you!
WE NEED YOU
Want to join our ZOOM meetings or know someone who should? The more the merrier.
We need a representative from Rivanna Village. Please let them know we are looking for them.